tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59676287473394615742017-07-29T02:00:04.423-07:00The Glorious UnfoldingMy thoughts on life, Mormonism, same-sex attraction, books, movies, music, TV shows, and other stuffBradleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603818695571463273noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5967628747339461574.post-12439885457809097422015-04-05T14:25:00.001-07:002015-04-05T14:27:01.718-07:00CommunionOh Savior, Lord, please hear my prayer<div>From these the depths of dark despair.&nbsp;</div><div>Oh cast on me thy loving light.&nbsp;</div><div>Please hear me! Hear me this dark night.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>I know that thou didst bleed and die</div><div>To save, redeem, and justify.&nbsp;</div><div>And also thou didst live again</div><div>To free from death all fallen men.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Lord, now in my Gethsemane,</div><div>Thy light and love give unto me.&nbsp;</div><div>Relieve me, Lord, from sin and gloom.&nbsp;</div><div>Lord, save me from eternal doom.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>To thee oh God my life I'll give. &nbsp;</div><div>For thee I'd die. For thee I'll live!</div><div>For thou didst live and die for me;</div><div>Thy servant I will ever be.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>And what may fault, oh Lord fulfill!</div><div>I'll do my part--I'll do thy will.&nbsp;</div><div>May thy Eternal Atonement be</div><div>My source of strength and victory.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>I thank the Lord for this new day.&nbsp;</div><div>With thee forever will I stay!</div><div>The night is o'er; I am at peace.&nbsp;</div><div>May this sweet feeling never cease.&nbsp;</div>Bradleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603818695571463273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5967628747339461574.post-60865989430475743432015-04-01T17:55:00.001-07:002015-04-01T17:55:52.570-07:00Follow The Prophet<div>The following is a talk I gave in my ward on March 22, 2015</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The endowment ceremony conducted in our temples tells the story of the creation of this world and of our first parents, Adam and Eve. After Adam and Eve partake of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, they are cast out of the garden, and likewise out of the presence of the divine. Separated from Elohim and Jehovah, they actively seek for further light and knowledge to guide them through the lone and dreary world. Facing opposition from Satan, they remain faithful to the truth they have received and in so doing prepare themselves for greater light and for the blessings of eternity.</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Similar to Adam and Eve, we too have been separated from the presence of Elohim and Jehovah. The experience of Adam and Eve mirrors our own as we go throughout our own lives seeking further light and knowledge. In our own quest for truth, there are many willing to preach to us the philosophies of men, mingled with scripture, but thanks to the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ we have true messengers, prophets and apostles with the keys of the kingdom and the authority of God. As we give strict heed to their counsel and teachings, they will lead us in the way of life and salvation.</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>It has always been the same, since the beginning of recorded time. From the days of the Old Testament, God has called prophets to speak for him and to represent him on the earth, to lead the people of God in the way of life and salvation. When Miriam and Aaron complained against Moses, the Lord declared in Numbers 12:6 “Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision.” We are reminded in the book of Amos chapter 3 verse 7, that “surely the Lord God will do nothing until he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” Paul teaches the Corinthians in 1st Corinthians 12 that God has set some in the church, firstly apostles and secondarily prophets to lead and guide us, clarifying to the Ephesians that this is done “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,” or the edifying of the Church, no “more tossed to and fro, carried about with every wind of doctrine.”</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>In today’s world, we see a continuation of the conditions that prefaced the Restoration. The tumult of opinions and the war of words described by Joseph Smith wages on today more than it ever has. In a world filled with darkness, doubt and fear, the need for a modern day prophet has never been greater. In the last verse of a favorite primary hymn we sing “Now we have a world where people are confused. If you don’t believe it, go and watch the news. We can get direction all along our way, If we heed the prophets—follow what they say.”</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The road to my testimony of living prophets and apostles has not always been an easy one, but I would like to share today some lessons that I have learned and some truths that I have gained as I have chosen to follow what the prophets and apostles have said. Today I would like to specifically share three examples of how following the brethren’s teachings has helped me to know that we are led by living prophets and apostles as I have sought to personify and apply the mission of the Church on a personal level. First, through missionary service (proclaiming the gospel), second through temple service (redeeming the dead), and lastly by following the law of chastity (perfecting the saints).</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I was at the Priesthood Session in the Conference Center as a fourteen year old young man back in 2002 when Elder Ballard, representing the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve, announced to us that the bar had been raised for missionary service and issued the call for the greatest generation of missionaries. He said: “As an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, I call upon you to begin right now—tonight—to be fully and completely worthy. Resolve and commit to yourselves and to God that from this moment forward you will strive diligently to keep your hearts, hands, and minds pure. Resolve to be honest. Resolve to be good citizens and to abide by the laws of the land in which you live. We ask you to prepare now to join us in taking the blessings of the restored gospel to all the people on the earth. Each one of you is precious, and we want you to be successful and secure in the battle for the souls of our Heavenly Father’s children. May God bless you with the courage to be “true at all times” (Alma 53:20) and with the vision to realize who you are and what the Lord has for you to do.”</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>While repentance played a key role for me both before and during my missionary service, I was eternally blessed for answering that call to serve a mission. While I refuse to say that it was the best two years of my life, I know with certain knowledge that it was the best two years FOR my life. My mission strengthened my testimony of the Gospel, blessed me with the joy of seeing lives changed (including my own), gave me leadership experience that I still draw on in my current employment as an executive, and taught me to learn and appreciate so much of life and of the gospel. My mission helped me become the man I am today and gives me a pattern to grow into the man that I still want to become.</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>In addition to missionary service, another way I have gained a testimony of living prophets and apostles has been through temple service. Elder Richard G. Scott has counseled us to go to the temple. He said: “We all know there is no more peaceful place on this earth than in the temples of God. If you don’t have a temple recommend, qualify to get one. When you have a recommend, use it often.9 Schedule a regular time to be in the temple. Don’t let anyone or anything prevent you from being there. While you are in the temple, listen to the words of the ordinances, ponder them, pray about them, and seek to understand their meaning. The temple is one of the best places to come to understand the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Seek Him there. Remember that many more blessings come from providing your own family names in the temple.”</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Brothers and Sisters, my eyes have been opened and my prayers have been answered as I have sought to make temple attendance a regular part of my life by applying this counsel. More so than anything save partaking the sacrament, the temple and its ordinances ground me in truth and remind me of who I am, where I came from, and what my ultimate destiny is. I have never felt closer to God than when I have been in the temple, and I have never felt further apart then when I have not been worthy of attending. I testify from personal experience that attending the temple and being worthy to attend the temple is worth any cost, any sacrifice, anything at all. As I have followed the counsel of prophets and apostles and attended the temple, my life has been changed for the better, and changed for good.</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Lastly, I would like to share my testimony relating to the Lord’s Law of Chastity and his teachings on the family. I have debated for a long time on whether I should share this over the pulpit, but as it plays such an important role in my testimony of prophets and apostles, I feel prompted to do so.</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Many of you who know me well also know that I experience same-sex attraction, in addition to having been diagnosed with depression and anxiety. Elder Neil L. Andersen once referred to this same sex attraction as a “whirlwind of enormous velocity” and for much of my life it has been. During my first 11 months in Illinois I started to experience a great deal of confusion, as I began to believe in the labels of the world and began to believe the rhetoric that in order to be happy I had to “be true to who I really was” and that I could only find peace and fulfillment from embracing a lifestyle contrary to covenant. The pain and uncertainty caused by this confusion led me to a breaking point, and to the darkest period of my life.&nbsp;</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>However, one year ago this week, through a miraculous set of circumstances that I can only attribute to God, I was led to a support group called North Star International, and was touched by one of their major initiatives, the Voices of Hope Project, a collection of videos and essays where Latter-Day Saints who desire to remain faithful to the teachings of the church share their experiences dealing with the journey of same-sex attraction.&nbsp;</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> As I came in contact with other faithful and active Mormons who experienced what I did and desired to remain in the Church, my eyes were opened to my individual truth: that peace and hope and lasting fulfillment is found in the gospel of Jesus Christ and by following the teachings of living prophets and apostles, that I am only defined by one label: Son of God, that I can get my needs for male friendship and companionship in healthy ways, by keeping desires, appetites and passions within the bounds the Lord has set.</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Same Sex Attraction for me is the cross of self-mastery I am called to bear, my own individual “thorn in the flesh.” Much like the apostle Paul, I have asked for this thorn to be removed multiple times but it continues to be something that I am called to experience. And while I can certainly say that no single other experience has brought me more pain and anguish, no other experience has taught me more and brought me closer to Christ. The vast majority of strength and comfort I have gained to face this set of circumstances comes from the words of general conference and by embracing the teachings of the Lord’s chosen servants.</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>There were two talks specifically from this last general conference that provided further light and knowledge to me as I continue to learn about this experience of mine. They are Elder Uchtdorf’s and Elder Klebingat’s talks.</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>In the Priesthood Session of last conference, President Uchtdorf masterfully taught us about the importance of seeing ourselves clearly. Said he, “Being able to see ourselves clearly is essential to our spiritual growth and well-being. If our weaknesses and shortcomings [and I would also contend our life experiences such as same sex attraction] remain obscured in the shadows, then the redeeming power of the Savior cannot heal them and make them strengths.” as I have learned to see myself and my experiences clearly, I have experienced the spiritual growth and well-being that President Uchtdorf teaches about. Acknowledging life for what it is, with all of its positive and negative experiences, is a critical first step to unlocking our true identity and purpose. If we come to the Lord in honesty, he can take any experience, any trial, any temptation and turn them into strengths.</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Elder Klebingat also encouraged me to “accept trials, setbacks, and ‘surprises’ as part of [my] mortal experience.”</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Same-sex attraction certainly counts as a surprise. This is not something that I accepted for a long time, it’s not something I asked for, and not something that I chose. In addition, it is certainly something that has made life as a Latter-day Saint interesting, and sometimes frustrating as I continually seek to reconcile my faith with my feelings. However, Elder Klebingat gently reminded me to “acknowledge [it]…but don’t be immobilized by [it]” because it very well could be one of my “companions until [I] depart this earth life.”</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Elder Klebingat promised us “no matter what your current status, the very moment you voluntarily choose honest, joyful, daily repentance by striving to simply do and be your very best, the Savior’s Atonement envelops and follows you, as it were, wherever you go.” With such a promise, I am encouraged to live the Restored Gospel proactively and develop a faith and dependence on the Lord independent of any circumstance I may experience in life.</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>To summarize, my testimony of prophets and apostles is built on missionary service, temple service, and by following the Lord’s definition of chastity rather than the world’s. I look forward to seeing how this testimony will grow as I continue to “do his will, so that I may know of the [the truthfulness of the] doctrine” (John 7:17).</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>In April, we will have the incredible opportunity to listen to the words of prophets and apostles. I would invite each and every one of you to watch, listen, and prayerfully prepare for general conference. As one who has received unique personalized revelation that has provided me with peace, understanding and hope through general conference, I boldly testify that our lives will be changed if we approach conference seriously. Your set of circumstances differs from mine, but one thing remains constant for all of us through the words of the primary song: “We can get direction all along our way, If we heed the prophets—follow what they say.”</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Jesus Christ lives and directs His Church through our prophet, Thomas S. Monson, through the First Presidency, and through the Council of the Twelve Apostles. God still speaks to man; may we heed the counsel of his servants, true messengers who will give us further light and knowledge, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.</div>Bradleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603818695571463273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5967628747339461574.post-11337864356309537482015-02-28T21:43:00.001-08:002015-02-28T21:43:31.667-08:00My Son<div>I held my son in my arms </div> <div>The clear blue eyes gazing into mine</div> <div> </div> <div>And in his eyes I saw&nbsp;</div> <div> </div> <div>Innocence, Hope, Perfection, Potential, Eternity</div> <div> </div> <div><br></div> <div> </div> <div>I held my son in my arms,</div> <div> </div> <div>His hand reaching towards my face</div> <div> </div> <div>And in his touch I felt</div> <div> </div> <div>Innocence, Hope, Perfection, Potential, Eternity</div> <div> </div> <div><br></div> <div> </div> <div>I held my son in my arms</div> <div> </div> <div>His smiling face reaching the core of my soul</div> <div> </div> <div>And in his smile I came to know</div> <div> </div> <div>Innocence, Hope, Perfection, Potential, Eternity</div> <div> </div> <div><br></div> <div> </div> <div> <div> <div>Made all the more poignant by waking up</div> </div> <div>And knowing that my son is just a dream</div> </div> <div> </div> <div>A singular unforgettable moment of&nbsp;</div> <div> </div> <div>Innocence, Hope, Perfection, Potential, Eternity</div>Bradleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603818695571463273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5967628747339461574.post-9516998755388821482014-12-11T21:08:00.002-08:002014-12-19T15:12:08.912-08:00Addiction is Modern Day Idolatry<div style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 6px;"><span style="color: white;">The addiction cycle always begins by "Wanting Relief from the Discomforts of Life." When these discomforts come, I have a choice: to seek relief in addiction, or to seek relief in the Atonement.</span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 6px;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 6px;"><span style="color: white;">I believe addiction is a modern form of idolatry. We don't have idols of gold or stone to worship, but we do have pornography, drugs, alcohol, and countless other addictions that stand today<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">&nbsp;as modern-day idols.</span></span></div><div class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 6px;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 6px;"><span style="color: white;">Both the idols of addiction and the God of Heaven ask us to give our time, talents, and everything that we have been blessed with to the building up of their respective kingdoms. The idols of addiction use our consecration only to further enslave us and destroy those that we love. On the other hand, Jehovah uses our consecration to empower us to attain our divine potential. The idols of addiction limit me, but the Atonement has the capacity to make me limitless.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;"><span style="color: white;">While I will always be in recovery, and while I still have a long road to travel, I choose to worship the One True God instead of the false gods that only offer temporary relief from the discomforts of life. I choose the Balm of Gilead over the chains of Satan. I choose freedom over slavery. I choose hope instead of despair. I choose limitless potential as a Son of God instead of eternal defeat at the hands of the devil.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;"><span style="color: white;">My Salvation comes from Him. And no one else.</span></div><div style="color: #141823; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #141823; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-arqvBKthnXc/VIp4LpQOycI/AAAAAAAADT8/EpjgWc1uLkY/s1600/10658523_10152374146416298_2044229226550846593_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-arqvBKthnXc/VIp4LpQOycI/AAAAAAAADT8/EpjgWc1uLkY/s1600/10658523_10152374146416298_2044229226550846593_o.jpg" height="224" width="320" /></a></div><div style="color: #141823; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;"><br /></div></div>Bradleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603818695571463273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5967628747339461574.post-38585454833444995012014-12-02T18:45:00.000-08:002014-12-02T18:46:14.509-08:00Faith vs Doubt<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not" -- Doctrine &amp; Covenants 6:36</i></span></div><br />The above words are a consistent reminder to me that regardless of what happens in life, I need to rely on my Savior.<br /><br />Six days ago, I filmed my Voices of Hope video, in which I shared my story and experience of the hope I have found in the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ as found in the LDS Church, while living with and experiencing same-sex attraction. Since then I have faced a lot of doubts and fears, wondering if I've been kidding myself or fooling myself, or if all of this is just wishful thinking.<br /><br />To be bluntly honest, I can't say with complete certainty what life will look like next year, next month, or even tomorrow. I have no idea what curve balls await me further on in my journey. Yes, I have found hope and peace in the gospel, but it has not been a rosy path by any means. Some days just suck. On those days I either want to scream at the world and everybody in it, or curl up in a ball, drink Pepsi, and binge on one of my favorite TV shows.<br /><br />But even in the depths of my frustration, and on my darkest days that have been filled with the most doubt, in the end I always come back to hope and faith. Yes, life is uncertain and I feel like choosing a life inside the Church while experiencing same-sex attraction requires a certain amount of faith and sacrifice. But deep down, after all is said and done and after the tender mercies have been made manifest, I firmly believe that the choices I make to keep true to my covenants will lead me to the greatest amount of happiness.<br /><br />It is a lifelong process, but for now I am working to develop a faith, trust, and reliance in the Lord that is independent of what happens in life. I am working to look unto the Lord in EVERY thought, be it positive or challenging. Faith isn't easy, but I believe it has to be worth it.Bradleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603818695571463273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5967628747339461574.post-75298057648613220602014-11-28T17:31:00.001-08:002014-11-28T17:33:35.534-08:00I Believe in Friendship<div><div>"Be a true friend. This kind of enduring friendship is like asphalt that fills the potholes of life and makes the journey smoother and more pleasant. It should not be a resource used to gain personal advantage but a treasure to be appreciated and shared." --Elder Richard G. Scott</div></div><div><br /></div><div>About three weeks ago, I visited some friends and family in Utah. It was very difficult for me to come home after I had so many great experiences. I came home and felt super depressed and lonely for about a week.</div><div><br /></div><div>I prayed for help in dealing with those feelings but felt lost. My best friend and so many of my closest friends live so far away, as do so many in the North Star community, a community that has helped me in many ways to change my perspective about my experience with SSA. How the heck would life out in Illinois even compare?</div><div><br /></div><div>I went to a convert baptism the Saturday after I returned, and that's when my stake president answered my prayer. He came up to me and put his arm around me. He taught me, randomly out of the blue, that a lot of joy is found from reaching out and serving others, and that by so doing we receive the strength and support we need.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was then that I understood that we all have similar stories. As we open up to those we trust and share our stories we gain the strength we need. People come into our lives for a reason. While different then what I have out in Utah, I can still find love and support in any ward as I seek to serve and be there for others. And I know that my true friends will never abandon me. At the top of that list is the Savior. He will always be there for me.</div><div><br /></div><div>And I realized as well that if I did live in Utah, that there would be difficulties and challenges there as well. No matter where I am or what I do, life will continue to present glorious opportunities and challenges.</div><div><br /></div><div>As I now return back from another trip out west, my mind is drawn to some conversations I had with some of my closest friends and confidants during this past week. I refuse to believe that friendships on earth are restricted to our mortal life. There's a scripture that I believe speaks to this: "<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">And that same sociality which exists among us here will exist among us there, only it will be coupled with eternal glory, which glory we do not now enjoy."&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">(D&amp;C 130:2)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Friendship, to me, is right up there with family, and I personally believe that Heavenly Father will not take away these precious relationships.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I find myself incredibly blessed to be surrounded with so many amazing people. As I reflected on where I've been and where I've come from over the past year until this Thanksgiving, my heart is full of thanks to God. I've been blessed to associate with incredible people in Utah, Illinois, and Brazil. I've been led to amazing friends at BYU, growing up in northern Utah, and throughout all times and places in life.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Within family and friendship, I see glimpses of the celestial kingdom, where we are seen and see clearly, where we are surrounded by those who made us into the glorious people we've become.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Above all, I hope that as I continue to strive to become who the Lord wants me to become, I can be counted among his friends "</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you."</span></div><div>(John 15:14)</div>Bradleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603818695571463273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5967628747339461574.post-54067217724998015892014-10-23T03:27:00.002-07:002014-10-23T03:28:11.757-07:00Guest Author Blog PostMy submission to Northern Lights was recently included on their blog. You can find the article here:<br /><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://ldslights.org/gay-infinite-unlocking-true-identity-proactive-religion/">From Gay to Infinite--Unlocking Our True Identity Through Proactive Religion</a>&nbsp;</div>Bradleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603818695571463273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5967628747339461574.post-45160730171694198002014-10-13T02:27:00.001-07:002014-10-13T03:14:21.261-07:00Paradigm ShiftRegardless of our sexual orientation and regardless of our life path, I believe that the Lord taught us a very important truth in the Creation when He affirmed that "it is not good for man to be alone."<div><br></div><div>As a man who experiences same-sex attraction, I used to feel that I exclusively needed same-sex companionship and friendship. I<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;used to think happiness and fulfillment could only be found if I was involved in a long term relationship with another man, be it platonic or sexual.&nbsp;</span></div><div><br></div><div>However, I recently experienced a paradigm shift as I reviewed couples' essays and videos from the Voices of Hope project.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>I still desire companionship and intimate (not sexual) friendships with other men, and I always will. I feel that these friendships will help me fill needs I have to be connected to and experience unity with others of my same gender. I experience attraction to men. It's simply the way I experience life. Intimate friendships with men will fill specific needs that no woman could fill.&nbsp;</div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div>However<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, my paradigm shift this weekend, brought to you by Voices of Hope, taught me that I need companionship and intimate relationships with women as well, to fill other needs that men can't offer me. I never really thought that could be possible before &nbsp;now (even though it's pretty obvious and straight-forward, no pun intended).&nbsp;</span></div><div><br></div><div>I will not fill my needs for masculine unity with women, but I feel that as I draw near to them and develop intimacy and maybe even a romantic/sexual relationship with a woman that I can experience growth and new experiences, and a sense of "completeness" that I couldn't experience in any other way.</div><div><br></div><div>I feel that becoming close with women will help me grow and experience new things, expanding my horizons and definitions of what it means to love someone deeply without it being primarily driven by a sex drive.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>I do not know exactly what the future holds, but I felt that the Lord gently reminded me today that I need to open myself to both men and women and become close to them in appropriate ways, within the bounds the Lord has set.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>He can make of me so much more than I could ever make of myself. And I need to realize and accept that part of my essential growth can come from women.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>This is not THE answer for everyone. I fully accept and acknowledge that. But I do feel it is one of MY answers.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>I guess women don't have cooties after all. Go figure :)</div>Bradleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603818695571463273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5967628747339461574.post-59359730244863754222014-10-12T23:52:00.001-07:002014-10-21T18:32:42.497-07:00The Glorious UnfoldingThis song is my life's anthem.<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/rolTdI7I_4M" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Bradleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603818695571463273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5967628747339461574.post-73354588992639627452014-10-12T23:46:00.001-07:002014-10-13T00:01:08.591-07:00The Three C's of Preparing to Receive Personal Revelation<div>God hath not revealed anything to Joseph, but what he will make known unto the Twelve, and even the least Saint may know all things as fast as he is able to bear them...” --Discourses of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 150-151.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The Prophet Joseph Smith taught us from the previous statement that there is no limit to the amount or depth of personal revelation that we can receive in this life. However, he states that we can receive this revelation only “as fast as [we] are able to.”</div><div><br></div><div>Lorenzo Snow, 5th president of the Church added “We should try to learn the nature of [the spirit of revelation]. ... This is the grand means that the Lord has provided for us, that we may know the light, and not be groveling continually in the dark.”</div><div><br></div><div>How then are we to prepare so that we might understand and utilize this grand means the Lord has provided for us? How can we prepare for the light so we can stop groveling continually in the dark?</div><div><br></div><div>As I have studied this, I believe that the answer is threefold. We prepare our minds to receive light and truth through Christ, through Community, and through Covenant.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div><b>Christ</b></div><div><br></div><div>King Benjamin in the Book of Mormon wisely taught:&nbsp;</div><div>12 I say unto you, I would that ye should remember to retain the name [of Christ] written always in your hearts, that ye are not found on the left hand of God, but that ye hear and know the voice by which ye shall be called, and also, the name by which he shall call you.</div><div>13 For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart? (Mosiah 5:12-13)</div><div><br></div><div>We cannot and will not know the things of God unless we come to personally know Him. Developing a personal and intimate relationship with the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ allows us to, as King Benjamin said, “hear and know” the voice by which we are called.</div><div><br></div><div>Two essential components of an intimate relationship with Christ are daily prayers of faith, and daily scripture study.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>My mom always used to quote an old song “Prayer is the key to heaven, but faith unlocks the door.” The prayer of faith, submitting our wills and our desires to Christ, and acting in accordance with our prayers, is a key part of developing an intimate relationship with Christ. Daily prayer allows us to keep our minds and wills aligned with the Almighty.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Elder Richard G. Scott gave us encouragement in this regard: “Sometimes we unwisely try to face life by depending on our own experience and capacity. It is much wiser for us to seek through prayer and divine inspiration to know what to do. Our obedience assures that when required, we can qualify for divine power to accomplish an inspired objective.”</div><div><br></div><div>But Robert D. Hales gave us further clarification: “For when we want to speak to God, we pray. And when we want Him to speak to us, we search the scriptures.”</div><div><br></div><div>Some of the most sacred experiences of my life come from the times where I have spent time immersed in the words of God as found in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. My mind has been enlightened, my questions have been answered, my faith has been strengthened, and my power and resolve to resist the powers of Satan have increased exponentially.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>I testify that as we incorporate daily prayer and daily scripture study, we will begin to enjoy a sacred, deep intimate relationship with the Savior. We will hear and know his voice, and we will have taken one step in preparing to receive personal revelation. Coming to recognize the Lord's pattern of revelation to you individually through prayer and scripture study will help you know how he will respond when there are serious questions and concerns that you need answered.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div><b>Community</b></div><div><br></div><div>We are stupid if we try and do it alone. Christ could have just taught his gospel and walked alone, but he chose 12 companions. Addicts will tell you they did not make progress until they began attending support groups. No amount of online education can replace the value that comes from a live professor face to face.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>From the very beginning, God has taught that it is not good for man to be alone.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Sooner or later, we all will come to realize that we need each other. While our church is founded on the events of divine visitation to a fourteen year old boy in upstate New York, and while divine visitation is possible, infinitely more often then not our prayers will be answered through the actions and ministry of others. As we trust each other and share experiences, we receive insight and answers in to our own journey in life. I cannot count the number of times that a question or concern of mine has been answered through the inspired actions of friends, family, and co-workers, or through the heaven-sent comments of a fellow ward member.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Attending church, participating in church, and becoming one with the body of Saints prepares us to receive revelation. We are stronger together then we are separately and always will be so.</div><div><br></div><div><b>Covenant</b></div><div><br></div><div>Our progression through life and our progression in the Gospel is mirrored in our experience in the temple. In our temples we participate in a ceremony called the endowment. The entire endowment experience is based on preparing to receive personal revelation, or as Adam and Eve put it, seeking further light and knowledge, as we symbolically officiate in the ordinances of the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods, the two priesthoods in our Church.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The ordinances that we symbolically refer to are defined in Doctrine and Covenants 13 and Doctrine and Covenants 84:19. The two ordinances of the Aaronic priesthood are defined as the gospel of repentance, and baptism. The two ordinances of the Melchizedek priesthood are the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, and the key of the knowledge of God, or put more simply, the reception of the Holy Ghost, and coming to personally know God and see Him in the flesh.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>In the endowment is a key lesson that is repeated multiple times, that we need to understand in order to prepare for personal revelation. Only after a covenant is made, and only after an ordinance is symbolically performed is further light and knowledge given. The following examples demonstrate this truth.</div><div><br></div><div>Only after making covenants of obedience and sacrifice, can we then officiate in the ordinances of the Aaronic Priesthood, namely the gospel of repentance and baptism. After we make these covenants are we prepared to receive sacred key words, signs, and tokens pertaining to the Aaronic Priesthood.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Likewise, the first ordinance we officiate in pertaining to the Melchizedek priesthood is the reception of the first comforter, the Holy Ghost. the companionship of the Holy Ghost is one of the key ways we will receive revelation, so we should pay particular attention to what occurs during this part of the ceremony and the associated covenant we make.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>In the endowment, before we symbolically officiate in the first ordnance of the Melchizedek priesthood or the reception of the Holy Ghost, we make a covenant of chastity.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Sexual impurity and infidelity in any form, even pornography and lust, can cloud our mind and impair our ability to hear the Lord's word. Compare that to the promise made to Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>...and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.</div><div><br></div><div>46 The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever.</div><div>D&amp;C 121:45-46&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>To unlock the full power of the Holy Ghost, we need to strive for sexual purity and let virtue garnish our minds unceasingly.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Framing the endowment in this way, helps us make valuable connections to doctrines and principles that will bless our lives. By making covenants of obedience and sacrifice, we show our faith and repentance, and we can, as King Benjamin taught know not only the voice which will call us, but know the names by which we will be called. By covenanting to live the law of the Gospel, we prepare to enter the waters of baptism officiating in the ordinances of the Aaronic Priesthood and we are clothed with power and glory, and our garments are made white through the blood of the lamb.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>By making covenants of chastity and sanctifying ourselves we prepare to receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost, the first comforter and the first ordinance done by the power of the Melchisedek priesthood this enables us to, as stated in verse 19 understand the mysteries of the kingdom. Through this gift we come to know the Son and feel His presence in our lives. &nbsp;Then as we consecrate our lives to the cause of Zion, we prepare to endure to the end, and are brought before God to receive the second comforter, even the manifestation of Jesus Christ in the flesh, the "key of the knowledge of God."</div><div><br></div><div>In the endowment, as in life, we prepare to receive personal revelation by living our covenants. The covenant is essential to and a prerequisite for receiving the revelation, but it is not because God keeps score of what we do wrong and right. God doesn't give us commandments for His benefit. He will always be God and his power and glory are not dependent on our individual or collective obedience to the covenants we make. Rather He gives us covenants for our own good, that we may prepare our minds and our hearts to receive all knowledge, all wisdom, and quite literally all things.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>So what's the point of all of this? Why should we prepare for revelation? Why should we develop an intimate relationship with the Savior, forge a community of service and trust, and stay true to our covenants?</div><div><br></div><div>The simple fact is, there will come a time in life, sooner or later, when crisis will strike. If we learn how to prepare for revelation, understand how to access, and identify the ways the Lord speaks to us, now rather than in the future, we will be adequately prepared and educated on how to overcome.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>My individual crisis occurred earlier this year. Six months ago, my life was a mess. I doubt many of you know this, but I was ready to leave the Church and literally felt no hope. Looking back I am scared at where I was and what I was contemplating doing. I felt alone, and I was completely and utterly broken. But God speaks to me in a very specific way and due to the bravery and love of a few friends both old and new, I recognized that the Lord was trying to reveal some precious truths to me. I was only able to recognize His voice and his ministry through the actions of others because of my previous experiences with personal revelation. Life since then has not been easy and I am still a broken man who needs the Savior daily, even hour by hour, minute by minute. But it has been revealed to me that I, and all of you, are 100% worth it.</div><div><br></div><div>Through Christ, Community, and Covenant, I have found deep peace and meaning, even a sense of my divine potential, despite all of the unpleasant experiences that are part of this journey we call life. During the past six months, I have been extremely blessed as I have prepared for personal revelation, received it and followed it.</div><div><br></div><div>Brothers and sisters, I testify that we can prepare for any and all knowledge to be revealed to us through Christ, community, and covenant. The Lord eagerly wants to reveal the mysteries of eternity to us, as fast as we are able to bear them. I pray that we all can have the determination to develop a personal relationship with Christ through prayer and study, establish a community of support and Christlike service, and live according to our covenants to prepare for the further light and knowledge that is sure to come. This is only the beginning of the beginning of God’s glorious unfolding of light and truth in each of our lives.</div><div><br></div>Bradleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603818695571463273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5967628747339461574.post-44303785607665232562014-10-12T23:42:00.001-07:002014-10-12T23:57:01.482-07:00Symbolism of the Atonement in Priesthood Ordinances<div>I love Symbolism. I still remember how excited I was when I first read the Da Vinci Code and found out that Robert Langdon was a professor of Symbology. I was convinced that I had found my career path, until my hopes were dashed realizing that no such field of study exists. Even so, I thoroughly enjoy looking for symbolism in various parts of the gospel and in secular places as well. Bruce R. McConkie stated that it is wholesome and proper to look for symbols of Christ in all things so as to keep him foremost in our minds. As a consequence I have enjoyed seeing parallels of Christ in some of my more nerd-like hobbies. Some examples include Sam speaking to Frodo about the Ring of Power on the slopes of Mount Doom: "I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you." And the significance of Spock sacrificing himself to save his crewmates in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, holding true to his belief that "the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few and the one." &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>However, in preparation for this talk I have thought a lot about how I can approach it and best speak about it from a more serious standpoint, considering that I have been asked to speak about the most holy event in human history and how it relates to the most important steps we will ever take in life.</div><div><br></div><div>Preach My Gospel teaches us that the Atonement consists of three parts:&nbsp;</div><div>--Suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane</div><div>--Death by Crucifixion</div><div>--Resurrection</div><div><br></div><div>Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and only through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, are we able to return to the presence of Heavenly Father. Only the Atonement of our Savior can help us to overcome our weaknesses, win against Satan, be perfected, and ultimately to become like God.</div><div><br></div><div>How is this possible, and how do priesthood ordinances relate?</div><div><br></div><div>I believe that Doctrine and Covenants 84:20-22 can answer our question.</div><div><br></div><div>20 Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.&nbsp;</div><div>21 And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh;&nbsp;</div><div>22 For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live. (Doctrine and Covenants, Doctrine and Covenants, D&amp;C 84)</div><div><br></div><div>These verses teach us that without priesthood ordinances, the power of godliness is not manifest. Simply put, we cannot become Godly without priesthood ordinances. God does not need us to participate in baptism, confirmation, and the other ordinances. He has designed these ordinances, or ceremonies, for US. As we open our hearts to him and participate in these sacred ceremonies, the power of Christ can more fully enter our lives.</div><div><br></div><div>From my study of the Gospel, I have identified 7 key priesthood ordinances. They are:</div><div>--Baptism by immersion</div><div>--Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost</div><div>--Partaking of the Sacrament</div><div>--Ordination to the Priesthood</div><div>--Washing and Anointing</div><div>--The Endowment</div><div>--Sealing / Celestial Marriage</div><div><br></div><div>As we talk about these seven ordinances I pray that the Holy Ghost will be present so that we may learn together and that all may be edified.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div><b>Baptism</b></div><div><br></div><div>The apostle Paul teaches us about symbolism of Christ's death and resurrection in our baptism in Romans 6:3-6:</div><div><br></div><div>3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?&nbsp;</div><div>4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.&nbsp;</div><div>5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: (New Testament, Romans, Romans 6)</div><div><br></div><div>As we are covered completely by water in our baptism, we are washed clean of our sins, and are raised again to a new life.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><b>Confirmation</b></div><div><br></div><div>Joseph Smith taught the following: "You might as well baptize a bag of sand as a man, if not done in view of the remission of sins and getting of the Holy Ghost. Baptism by water is but half a baptism, and is good for nothing without the other half--that is, the baptism of the Holy Ghost."</div><div><br></div><div>When we are confirmed and are given the gift of the Holy Ghost, Joseph Fielding McConkie compares it to lighting a perpetual flame inside of us that will always burn so long as we protect it. The Holy Ghost will cleanse us and sanctify us, and will play a key part in helping us to become Godly.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><b>The Sacrament</b></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Of all things we do in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the partaking of the sacrament is the most sacred. Symbolism of the Atonement is very strong in this sacred weekly ordinance. We are reminded each week that Christ sacrificed himself for us, not only through his death on the cross and through his flesh, but also by shedding blood in the Garden of Gethsemane as he suffered for our guilt.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Someone remarked in an Institute class I attended that that the symbols of the sacrament are fairly common: bread and water. They suggested that perhaps these simple symbols are chosen so that each time we eat bread, or drink water, that we might "always remember Him and have His Spirit to be with us." And, just as bread and water are the basic necessities for our physical survival, likewise bread and water in the form of the Sacrament are the necessities for our spiritual survival. May we be worthy each week to partake of the bread and water and remember the great Sacrifice of Jesus Christ.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><b>Ordination to the Priesthood</b></div><div><br></div><div>An important step in the life of each Latter-day Saint young man is to receive the Priesthood. When we receive the Priesthood and when we perform faithfully in our callings under the direction of the Priesthood, we symbolically become the hands of Jesus Christ. We become instruments for good and we can perform His work faithfully in the service of others.</div><div><br></div><div>It is very important to remember, however, that the blessings of the priesthood are not reserved just for men. Elder M. Russell Ballard taught this truth very clearly in the most recent general conference of the Church:</div><div><br></div><div>In our Heavenly Father’s great priesthood-endowed plan, men have the unique responsibility to administer the priesthood, but they are not the priesthood. Men and women have different but equally valued roles. Just as a woman cannot conceive a child without a man, so a man cannot fully exercise the power of the priesthood to establish an eternal family without a woman. In other words, in the eternal perspective, both the procreative power and the priesthood power are shared by husband and wife. And as husband and wife, a man and a woman should strive to follow our Heavenly Father. The Christian virtues of love, humility, and patience should be their focus as they seek the blessings of the priesthood in their lives and for their family. (2013 April General Conference, “This Is My Work and Glory”, Sat. Morning Session - By &nbsp;M. Russell Ballard)</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>The final three ordinances take place in the temple. Out of respect for the Savior and his house I will not speak directly and specifically of everything that takes place there. I will use the scriptures and the words of Brad Wilcox in his book "The Continuous Conversion" to explore how the Atonement is symbolized in the temple both in modern and ancient times.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><b>Washing and Anointing</b></div><div><br></div><div>Just as Moses washed and anointed Aaron and his sons as recorded in the Book of Exodous, we are also washed and anointed. Through this process we are set apart from the things of the world as we prepare to learn and participate in the ordinances of the temple.</div><div><br></div><div>The translation for Messiah is "The Annointed One" and as we are washed and anointed we become like Him, set apart and chosen to become great, and to fulfill our individual destiny. To ultimately become Kings and Queens, Priests and Priestesses.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><b>The Endowment</b></div><div><br></div><div>Through the covenant promises we make in the temple, we become more Godly. We promise to obey the Laws of God, and keep promises of Obedience, Sacrifice, Chastity, and Consecration. Again, these promises we make are not for God. He doesn't need us to be obedient and faithful. WE need to be obedient and faithful for our own good.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>To help us remember him, in the temple we are given undergarments to where daily, so that we can always remember Him. The Hebrew word for Atonement is Kaphar, which means "to cover." The undergarments we are given in the temple are similar to the coats of skin given to Adam and Eve and can serve as a powerful daily reminder of the suffering of The Lord Jesus Christ.</div><div><br></div><div>We are also "covered" as we wear sacred temple clothing, designed to help us remember Jesus Christ and the covenant promises we take upon ourselves so that we can become godly.</div><div><br></div><div>Through the ordinances of the temple, the words of Doctrine and Covenants Section 84 ring loud and clear: Through the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><b>Sealing</b></div><div><br></div><div>When we are sealed in the temple, we become partners with the Savior and our spouse in a three-way covenant promise. As we build our marriages and families on the Savior, he will bless us and guide us in the right way.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>One phrase in particular is found in all ordinances that take place in the temple, and it really shows us how much God cares about families. In all the ordinances in the temple we hear the phrase "That we may have joy and rejoicing in our posterity." I know that through the ordinances of the temple we can find Christ there and we can make him a part of our life. He is our example, the path to salvation, and the foundation of all righteous families.</div><div><br></div><div>To conclude, I want to share some interesting symbolism from the Law of Moses. Brad Wilcox explores some ancient symbolism in animal sacrifice that occurred during that time period. While we do not participate in animal sacrifice today, we do "offer up the animal within us," as pointed out by Neal A Maxwell. I thought Brother Wilcox's observations might be helpful so that we can see that even hundreds of years before Christ, there were important and powerful symbols of his atonement being taught to the Jews. The following comes from his most recent book: "The Continuous Conversion":</div><div><br></div><div>"Anciently, the one performing the sacrifice would place the animal on the altar with its head to his right. He would then declare his authority by raising his right arm to the square, similar to how a priest today performs a baptism by raising his right arm to the square and saying, "Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ.</div><div><br></div><div>"The next action in an Old Testament animal sacrifice was for the one sacrificing to hold a cup with which to catch the blood of the animal. Blood, the source of life, represented Christ's atoning blood, complete with all the nourishment, purification, and healing it offers. The cup was symbolic of the bitter cup from which Jesus would drink. While holding the cup in one hand, the one performing the sacrifice would life the sacrificial knife with the other.</div><div><br></div><div>"Following the slaying of the animal, the one sacrificing would have held the cup of blood in one hand and laid his other hand on the head of the beast. This symbolized the connection between the sinner and the sacrificial victim and served to transfer personal sins and identity to the animal. In Numbers 8:12 we read, "And the Levites shall lay their hands upon the heads of the bullocks...to make an atonement for the Levites."</div><div><br></div><div>"At the end of the sacrifice, the one making the sacrifice prayed by lifting both hands above his head. In Psalm 141:2 we read "Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice." When Solomon dedicated the temple, he stood before the congregation "and spread forth his hands toward heaven: and he said, Lord God of Israel" (Wilcox, <i>The Continuous Comversion)</i></div><div><br></div><div>As Brother Brad Wilcox has shown us, all throughout time there has been symbolism of Jesus Christ and his Atonement in the times of the Law of Moses, and also today. If we look for him, he is there. As He has promised us, "Seek and ye shall find"</div><div><br></div><div>I know that there is so much more we can learn about the Savior as we study his life and his great sacrifice. I know that we can learn more about Him as we seek to see symbols of Him in our daily life. Sometimes we will see symbols of Him in Lord of the Rings and Star Trek, and other times we will see symbols of Him in Church and as we attend the temple. Regardless of where we see symbols of Him, I pray that we can allow these symbols to help us REMEMBER what Christ did for us. That is the ultimate reason for having symbols in the first place -- to point our souls to Christ.</div><div><br></div><div>I know that the Atonement of the Savior is the only hope we have. It is the source of our strength and our victory against Satan. I know that the Ordinances we participate in within the Church can help us remember Christ, if we look for symbols of him. I know that if we accept Him and participate in these sacred ordinances, that the power of godliness will be manifest, and lasting change and conversion will take place.</div><div><br></div>Bradleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603818695571463273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5967628747339461574.post-55122805961954900752014-10-12T23:27:00.001-07:002014-10-12T23:56:20.577-07:00Personal Revelation<div>Today I want to share what I believe are key doctrines essential to our salvation and exaltation. I would like to begin with a quote from a special witness of Jesus Christ. &nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>“The essence of the gospel of Jesus Christ entails a fundamental and permanent change in our very nature made possible through the Savior’s Atonement. True conversion brings a change in one’s beliefs, heart, and life to accept and conform to the will of God and includes a conscious commitment to become a disciple of Christ.”</div><div><br></div><div>Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve shared these words during a recent session of general conference. In this short phrase he captures the purpose of our existence and the hope within each of us that true change is possible.</div><div><br></div><div>Elder Bednar’s October 2012 conference talk fits into a larger theme that he has been teaching since he was sustained as an Apostle. He has focused much of his ministry on teaching us this following truth: “Our individual responsibility is to learn what we should learn, to live as we know we should live, and to become what the Master would have us become.”</div><div><br></div><div>There are three steps he makes clear: Learn, Do, and Become. We have an individual duty to make sure that we comply with this framework. I would like to review today how we can learn, do and become, with most of my talk focusing on the last two steps. I take most of my material from Elder Bednar’s most recent conference talk and his two recent books Increase in Learning, and Act in Doctrine.</div><div><br></div><div>LEARN</div><div>Elder Bednar teaches us that “the ultimate responsibility for developing spiritual strength and stamina rests upon each and every member of the church.” We are to continually learn the gospel by study and by faith. We cannot walk on borrowed light for long.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>There is a hierarchy among things that we learn. This hierarchy is composed of knowledge, understanding and intelligence. Knowledge refers to facts information and abilities obtained through experience or education. The next step is understanding. It is the keystone that is erected upon the cornerstone of knowledge and precedes intelligence. When the Holy Ghost confirms truth to us, understanding occurs in our minds and in our hearts. Intelligence involves more than just knowing. Intelligence is living in such a way that the doctrines of the gospel are an active and integral part of who we are, and what we are, and what we do and what we think. Through doctrines, principles and applications of truth we can find answers to any question we may have and we can receive tailored and individualized revelation to aid us in our quest for eternal life. With Elder Bednar, I echo the truth that: the answers to our questions are ALWAYS in the doctrines and principles of the gospel.</div><div><br></div><div>DO</div><div>As we seek to learn the gospel, and as we allow the Lord to touch our hearts, we develop a testimony. Yet as Elder Bednar wisely points out: Testimony is the BEGINNING of and a PREREQUISITE to continuing conversion. Testimony is a point of departure; it is not an ultimate destination. Strong testimony is the foundation upon which conversion is established.</div><div><br></div><div>Elder Bednar makes it clear that it is not enough to know. We must also do. We must be true to the truth that we know. To ultimately BECOME like our Heavenly Father, we must become converted. We must do the will of the Lord. “Conversion requires all of our heart, all of our might, and all of our mind and strength. “For many of us, conversion is an ongoing process and not a onetime event that results from a powerful or dramatic experience. Line upon line and precept upon precept, gradually and almost imperceptibly, our motives, our thoughts, our words, and our deeds become aligned with the will of God. Conversion unto the Lord requires both persistence and patience.”</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>BECOME</div><div>As we seek to do the will of God, I (speaking for myself) believe that we need to be careful. If we are keeping the commandments for the sake of keeping the commandments, I submit that we are misguided and that we are missing the mark. It is not enough to do, so that we may do.</div><div><br></div><div>Rather, if we are keeping the commandments to become converted unto the Lord, if we are keeping the commandments in order to become holy and to become one with Christ and one with God, then we are properly aligned with what The Lord desires for us. The scriptures make it very clear that we are not saved by our actions. We are not saved by the law. Salvation was not found in the law of Moses and with all of its acts, rites and regulations. Salvation is and always has been centered in Jesus Christ. Jacob makes this clear in chapter 4 of his book in the Book of Mormon: “And for this intent we keep the law of Moses, it pointing our souls to him.” Like the Law of Moses did for those early saints in ancient America, so must our actions do the same. Our actions must point our souls to Christ.</div><div><br></div><div>It is his grace that saves us, and it is his grace that guides us each step of the way as we repent of our sins and come unto Him.</div><div><br></div><div>Sometimes, however, it is too easy to focus on doing instead of becoming. This is shown in one of my favorite stories, Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. We see some very important contrasts between Inspector Javert, and Jean Valjean.</div><div><br></div><div>Inspector Javert believes wholeheartedly in the righteousness of action and in justice. He correctly identifies the importance of mankind doing what is right and what is in accordance with the law. Yet he fails to see that our actions need to lead us somewhere. For years he hunts down Jean Valjean, an ex-convict. He becomes obsessed with administering justice and with catching Jean Valjean. For Inspector Javert, the only thing that mattered is what one did, including himself. He failed to see that doing is a key step to becoming.</div><div><br></div><div>Jean Valjean, on the other hand, is charged by a local church leader to become an honest man. The once-robber seeks throughout his life to BECOME what the good bishop intended him to become. He gives money to the poor, becomes an honest politician (which of course are never easy to find), he saves a woman from a cruel death, and raises that woman’s child as if it were his own. He saves a young man from certain death at the barricades, and when given the chance to get even, he spares the life of his mortal enemy. It would be easy for Jean Valjean to believe in an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. It would be easy for Jean Valjean to stop at the level of Javert and purely believe in justice and revenge. But instead, Jean looks beyond doing to what he must become. Jean Valjean can represent each of us as we seek to let our actions help us become an honest man or woman, and to become like Christ.</div><div><br></div><div>As Les Miserables illustrates, doing is a key part of becoming. Our actions will ultimately define who we will become. President Monson puts it well when he teaches that our “decisions determine our destiny.” What then, should we become? Our goal should be to become converted unto the Lord Jesus Christ.</div><div><br></div><div>Elder Bednar identifies five elements of becoming converted to the Lord in Samuel the Lamanite’s preaching in Helaman 15. As we examine this framework for conversion, we can see very clearly the pattern of Learning, Doing and Becoming.</div><div>We must believe in the teachings and prophecies of the holy prophets as they are recorded in the scriptures. This is what we must learn and seek to understand. Next Samuel lays out some actions we must take.</div><div>We must exercise faith in the Lord Jesus Christ,</div><div>We must repent. As we exercise faith and repent, then through the Lord’s help we can become who the Lord would have us become.</div><div>We can experience a mighty change of heart and&nbsp;</div><div>Become firm and steadfast in the faith.</div><div><br></div><div>To close, I want to strongly echo what Elder Bednar teaches about the importance of conversion. “Testimony alone is not and will not be enough to protect us in the latter-day storm of darkness and evil in which we are living. Testimony is important and necessary but not sufficient to provide the spiritual strength and protection we need.”</div><div><br></div><div>Brothers and Sisters, I pray that each of us may look deep into our hearts and ask ourselves: Why do I do what I do? Am I living in accordance with what I know? Do my actions reflect who I want to become? Who am I becoming? I need to ask myself these questions continually so that I may be sure that I am becoming who I want to be.</div><div><br></div><div>I testify that true conversion and true change of nature comes only through the Lord Jesus Christ. Believe me, I have tried other ways. And they do not work. Any success that I have had in changing who I am is through Christ. Self help books offer temporary solutions, the adversary offers us false and cheap shortcuts. Only Christ offers us the lasting change that we desire and that we need.</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;I hope and pray that all of us may follow the counsel of Elder Bednar and not only learn and do, but ultimately BECOME CONVERTED to the Lord. Become one with God and Christ. Become a committed latter-day saint. Become a disciple of the Savior. That we may ultimately become the kings and queens, the priests and priestesses we are meant to become. I know that this is what The Lord intends for each of us, and it is only through His atonement that it is even possible. In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.</div>Bradleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603818695571463273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5967628747339461574.post-74089180860553892252014-10-08T04:08:00.002-07:002014-10-12T23:55:00.464-07:00The Law of Sacrifice<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{&quot;tn&quot;:&quot;K&quot;}" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.38; overflow: hidden;"><div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_54351ad6ba74f9743450822" style="display: inline;"><div style="margin-bottom: 6px;">I had some thoughts/promptings I wanted to share about a passage from Moses 5:6 that I think I can apply to same-sex attraction.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">6 And after many days an angel of the Lord appeared unto Adam, saying: Why dost thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord? And Adam said unto him: I know not, save the Lord commanded me.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">Adam didn't know why he offered up something that he valued (in this case the firstling of the flock), but he did so because The Lord comm<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">anded him. Committing to covenants of chastity and morality as a same-sex attracted individual may draw the same question from friends and others....Why would I "give that life up?"</span></div><div class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><div style="margin-bottom: 6px;">I feel like the spirit taught me today a little bit more about what sacrifice means. I may not know why The Lord has established the laws of chastity and morality, but I do know he has established them. I can choose to follow Him and in doing so gain some further light and knowledge.</div></div></div></div><div></div><div id="u_lw_2l"><form action="https://www.facebook.com/ajax/ufi/modify.php" class="live_768327386519477_316526391751760 commentable_item collapsed_comments autoexpand_mode" data-ft="{&quot;tn&quot;:&quot;]&quot;}" data-live="{&quot;seq&quot;:769365309749018}" id="u_lw_t" method="post" rel="async" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;"><div class="_4bl7 _4bl8" style="float: right; min-height: 1px; word-wrap: break-word;"><div class="_mq0" id="u_lw_2m"><div data-reactid=".24i"></div></div></div><div class="_4bl9" style="overflow: hidden; word-wrap: break-word;"><div class="_5pcp _5vsi" style="color: #9197a3; margin-top: 10px;"><span data-reactid=".24l"><a aria-live="polite" class="UFILikeLink accessible_elem" data-reactid=".24l.0" href="https://www.facebook.com/#" role="button" style="clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px); color: #6d84b4; cursor: pointer; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; height: 1px; line-height: 15px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; text-decoration: none; width: 1px;" title="Like this">Like</a><div><br></div><a aria-live="polite" class="UFILikeLink" data-ft="{&quot;tn&quot;:&quot;&gt;&quot;}" data-reactid=".24l.1" href="https://www.facebook.com/#" role="button" style="color: #6d84b4; cursor: pointer; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-decoration: none;" title="Like this"></a></span></div></div></div></form></div>Bradleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603818695571463273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5967628747339461574.post-15661648273127605002014-10-08T04:06:00.002-07:002014-10-12T23:55:18.896-07:00Become Hope<span style="color: #cccccc;"><br></span><div style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 6px;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Some inspiring words from Gwen Stacy's valedictorian speech from The Amazing Spiderman 2. I love how it can apply to SSA.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-top: 6px;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">"It's easy to feel hopeful on a beautiful day like today, but there will be dark days ahead of us too, and they'll be days where you feel all alone, and that's when hope is needed most, no matter how buried it gets, or how lost you feel, you must promise me, that you will hold on to hope. Keep it alive, we have to be greater than what we suffer. My wish for you, is to become hope, people need that, and even if we fail, what better way is there to live. As we look around here today, and all the people who helped make us who we are...we will carry a piece of each other, into everything we do next, to remind us of who we are, and what we're meant to be."</span></div><div><div style="color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-top: 6px;"><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.audienceseverywhere.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/gwen.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.audienceseverywhere.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/gwen.png" height="196" width="320"></a></div><div><div style="color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-top: 6px;"><br></div></div>Bradleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603818695571463273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5967628747339461574.post-91777054208412500982014-10-08T03:51:00.005-07:002014-10-21T18:35:16.662-07:00The Importance of Boundaries<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">I have individual goals of remaining worthy to enter the temple, and having healthy, appropriate, and fulfilling relationships with men. As I pondered a good, simple guideline to help me achieve these goals, and at the same time develop strong and intimate friendships with other men, I felt that I should have the principle of brotherhood guide me in all my relationships. &nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Here is what I came up with for my own individual circumstances: In developing relationships and friendships with other men, I will interact with them as brothers would. If an activity, conversation, or relationship goes beyond the scope of brother, then I will have the courage to recognize it and rectify it.</span></span>Bradleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603818695571463273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5967628747339461574.post-25171420020483387172014-10-08T03:48:00.001-07:002014-10-12T23:55:38.224-07:00Handling Crushes<span data-reactid=".15p.1:3:1:$comment828524807166401_828526087166273:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$text0:0:$0:0" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">Many times I have felt paralyzed when I have come across attractive guys and wanted to talk to them.</span><br><span data-reactid=".15p.1:3:1:$comment828524807166401_828526087166273:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$text0:0:$0:0" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br></span><span data-reactid=".15p.1:3:1:$comment828524807166401_828526087166273:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$text0:0:$0:0" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">Once I get to know them, really know them, then I come to love them as friends and buddies.&nbsp;</span><br><span style="color: #cccccc;"><br data-reactid=".15p.1:3:1:$comment828524807166401_828526087166273:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$text0:0:$3:0" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"></span><span data-reactid=".15p.1:3:1:$comment828524807166401_828526087166273:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">I once heard from a friend that the exotic is erotic. Various times I've talked to super attractive guys I've had crushes on and as I talked with them and found common ground I saw them less as objects of desire and more as brothers, buddies, and friends. Once their mysteriousness went away so did the crush and in most cases I ended up with a good solid friend in its place.&nbsp;</span><br><span style="color: #cccccc;"><br data-reactid=".15p.1:3:1:$comment828524807166401_828526087166273:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$3:0" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"></span><span data-reactid=".15p.1:3:1:$comment828524807166401_828526087166273:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$4:0" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">Although Chris Evans will always be my man crush......what a man!</span><br><span data-reactid=".15p.1:3:1:$comment828524807166401_828526087166273:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$4:0" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br></span><span data-reactid=".15p.1:3:1:$comment828524807166401_828526087166273:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$4:0" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"></span><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.poptower.com/pic-91050/chris-evans.jpg?d=600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img.poptower.com/pic-91050/chris-evans.jpg?d=600" height="213" width="320"></a></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;"><br></div>Bradleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603818695571463273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5967628747339461574.post-81855332837675041532014-10-08T03:41:00.000-07:002014-10-12T23:54:38.498-07:00Our Role as SSA Mormons<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{&quot;tn&quot;:&quot;K&quot;}" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.38; overflow: hidden;"><div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_54351454970668292178360" style="display: inline;"><div style="margin-bottom: 6px;">One way that I believe Same Sex Attraction is a blessing for Latter-day Saints is that those of us that experience it, in my opinion, are the best suited to understand what real brotherhood and sisterhood in Christ is.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">While we are far more than just our sexuality, I think our united experience of SSA and a desire to remain faithful to covenants enables us to understand one another and relate with each other in ways that other men &amp; women can't. I truly believe that we have a<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">n important part to play in the Church and in the world at large, showing others that it is possible to be a Child of God, a faithful Christian, an active and worthy Mormon, and gay. Showing others that sexuality and/or often misunderstood experiences don't define a person, but divine nature and potential does. Showing others that the DOCTRINE of the Restored Gospel has a place for ALL of God's children.</span></div><div class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><div style="margin-bottom: 6px;"><br></div></div></div></div><div><div data-ft="{&quot;tn&quot;:&quot;H&quot;}"><div class="mtm" style="margin-top: 10px;"><div class="_5cq3" data-ft="{&quot;tn&quot;:&quot;E&quot;}" style="position: relative;"><a ajaxify="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152372031896298&amp;set=gm.846020925416789&amp;type=1&amp;src=https%3A%2F%2Ffbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net%2Fhphotos-ak-xfa1%2Fv%2Ft1.0-9%2F1609929_10152372031896298_6170339986336615391_n.jpg%3Foh%3D62d67be12475c77a63488ddd89439e5d%26oe%3D54BF23FE%26__gda__%3D1422499445_2c9ce8270534d207304593b9480f2c55&amp;size=736%2C736&amp;player_origin=unknown" class="_4-eo" href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152372031896298&amp;set=gm.846020925416789&amp;type=1" id="u_hm_z" rel="theater" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0470588) 0px 1px 1px; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; display: block; position: relative; text-decoration: none; width: 394px;"><div class="_46-h _4-ep" id="u_hm_11" style="clear: right; float: right; height: 394px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; overflow: hidden; position: relative; width: 394px;"><img alt="One way that I believe Same Sex Attraction is a blessing for Latter-day Saints is that those of us that experience it, in my opinion, are the best suited to understand what real brotherhood and sisterhood in Christ is. While we are far more than just our sexuality, I think our united experience of SSA and a desire to remain faithful to covenants enables us to understand one another and relate with each other in ways that other men &amp; women can't. I truly believe that we have an important part to play in the Church and in the world at large, showing others that it is possible to be a Child of God, a faithful Christian, an active and worthy Mormon, and gay. Showing others that sexuality and/or often misunderstood experiences don't define a person, but divine nature and potential does. Showing others that the DOCTRINE of the Restored Gospel has a place for ALL of God's children. I'm grateful for and I cherish the members of my &quot;tribe&quot; that I've found here. I look up to so many of you and thank you for your example." class="_46-i img" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/s526x395/1609929_10152372031896298_6170339986336615391_n.jpg?oh=2160543ead9fbfdc4d76c74d603503fd&amp;oe=54BB1014&amp;__gda__=1421986719_d8dbfda319e92a7860566f6b9c76c3d7" style="border: 0px; left: 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px;" width="320"></div></a></div></div></div></div><div id="u_hm_3a"><form action="https://www.facebook.com/ajax/ufi/modify.php" class="live_846020925416789_316526391751760 commentable_item collapsed_comments autoexpand_mode" data-ft="{&quot;tn&quot;:&quot;]&quot;}" data-live="{&quot;seq&quot;:846202262065322}" id="u_hm_1e" method="post" rel="async" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;"><div class="_4bl7 _4bl8" style="float: right; min-height: 1px; word-wrap: break-word;"><div class="_mq0" id="u_hm_3b"><div data-reactid=".pg"></div></div></div><div class="_4bl9" style="overflow: hidden; word-wrap: break-word;"><div class="_5pcp _5vsi" style="color: #9197a3; margin-top: 10px;"><span data-reactid=".pr"><a aria-live="polite" class="UFILikeLink accessible_elem" data-reactid=".pr.0" href="https://www.facebook.com/#" role="button" style="clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px); color: #6d84b4; cursor: pointer; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; height: 1px; line-height: 15px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; text-decoration: none; width: 1px;" title="Like this">Like</a><div><br></div><a aria-live="polite" class="UFILikeLink" data-ft="{&quot;tn&quot;:&quot;&gt;&quot;}" data-reactid=".pr.1" href="https://www.facebook.com/#" role="button" style="color: #6d84b4; cursor: pointer; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-decoration: none;" title="Like this"></a></span></div></div></div></form></div>Bradleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603818695571463273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5967628747339461574.post-6520986689154239492014-10-08T03:38:00.001-07:002014-10-12T23:56:04.957-07:00The Extraordinary Life<div style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 6px;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">So throughout the six or so months since I've started to address same-sex attraction, an idea and belief has been brewing in my mind and I have now come to believe it as absolute eternal truth. The seed for this new life outlook began with Camille Fronk Olson's comments during her address at the 2014 North Star Conference about Satan desiring to sift us as wheat.</span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 6px;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">I believe that no Latter-day Saint is to live an ordinary life.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Experiencing sexual attraction to the same sex is definitely out of the ordinary, as are multiple other traits and characteri<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">stics. On the one hand, I feel that sometimes we "preach the pattern" over the pulpit, idealizing how life "should" be as Latter-day Saints. But the more I get to know people, the more I believe that we should shun the ordinary paradigm of how life should be and embrace the extra-ordinary within each of us.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><div style="margin-bottom: 6px;">I believe that our extra-ordinary traits and experiences, such as SSA in our case, was given to us as a gift and a calling to experience a Latter-day Saint life far different from the idealized romanticized perfect pattern. With my experiences and attractions, I have the opportunity to share beautiful insights into doctrine that most others in my ward will never have. As I listen to my fellow Saints, and fellowship them, I see how their life experiences shape their insights and beliefs and together both I and my fellow LDS friends experience improvement and growth through these interactions. Real community develops with open and honest dialogue.&nbsp;</div><div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">One of my oldest and most wanted dreams growing up was to be "just like everyone else." I see now how foolish and dumb that desire was for my own individual well-being and how it limits my potential positive impact. There's too much I would lose individually and collectively if I ran away from that which makes me "different."</div></span></div>Bradleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603818695571463273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5967628747339461574.post-17669227149109832902014-10-06T00:10:00.001-07:002014-10-12T23:54:04.290-07:00Living the Lifestyle<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So I had some free time at work tonight so I listened to some of my favorite conference talks again.&nbsp;<br><br>In Elder Klebingat's talk from the October 2014 LDS General Conference, he talks about making repentance our "lifestyle" of choice.&nbsp;<br><br>So many times I hear about people who want to "live the gay lifestyle" and sometimes in my dark moments the natural man within me wants to go and wave that rainbow flag and be wild and crazy till the cows come home.&nbsp;<br><br>But instead of desiring a gay lifestyle, how much cooler is it to center my life around repentance? Instead of seeking personal pleasure, I can grow my personal potential. Instead of selfish sexual satisfaction, I can seek selfless spiritual sanctification. Instead of living with lust, I can learn to love and develop true brotherhood with other men.&nbsp;<br><br>To clarify, I don't need to repent for being attracted to men. But I do have a lot of other things I can repent of daily. I'm shown through this marvelous gem of a conference talk what can happen if I learn to use, embrace, and liberally apply the Atonement of Christ.<br><br>I have work to do. Shoulder to the wheel!</span>Bradleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603818695571463273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5967628747339461574.post-15507657214264979112014-09-30T00:46:00.001-07:002014-10-12T23:53:35.740-07:00The Pokemon BuffetI've realized recently an important truth. I need to be patient and appreciate things for what they are instead of wanting to have it all especially when it comes to friendship.<br><div><br></div><div>I used to think, and sometimes I fall in to the trap, of treating friendship like Pokemon, with a "gotta catch 'em all" mentality. Over the past weeks I realized that I need to appreciate the friends I have and care for them instead of trying to collect more.&nbsp;</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rD5n-f2QVvc/VCpfu8CLE6I/AAAAAAAADQE/wsNH2y_1OPI/s640/blogger-image--771100632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="164" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rD5n-f2QVvc/VCpfu8CLE6I/AAAAAAAADQE/wsNH2y_1OPI/s320/blogger-image--771100632.jpg" width="320"></span></a></div></div><div><br></div><div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Along those same lines, I'm reminded of a principle one of my counselors taught me regarding the difference between American Buffet and French Cuisine.&nbsp;</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Americans have the tendency to eat until they are stuffed</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Qh8R0_FUI5I/VCpftYmIsVI/AAAAAAAADP4/n5vDXwMCdqk/s640/blogger-image--959297113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Qh8R0_FUI5I/VCpftYmIsVI/AAAAAAAADP4/n5vDXwMCdqk/s320/blogger-image--959297113.jpg" width="320"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The French, on the other hand, treat food as an experience and seek to relish each bite. They appreciate the experience rather than trying to just alleviate hunger</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-MoNCbMl7xec/VCpfuNElMJI/AAAAAAAADQA/tkZcME-7dGQ/s640/blogger-image--968175983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-MoNCbMl7xec/VCpfuNElMJI/AAAAAAAADQA/tkZcME-7dGQ/s320/blogger-image--968175983.jpg" width="320"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I realized that I need to treat friendships the same way, especially in the way I approach friendships with other men. Instead of viewing friend-boys as "fresh meat" and trying to get all of my needs met, I think a much more balanced and healthy approach is to appreciate friendship for what it is, enjoying the experience of friendship instead of metaphorically stuffing my face full in an attempt to satisfy all of MY needs and desires. &nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">More often than not, I think joy is found in the journey. Today I choose to treat friendship as the treasure it is, instead of like a Pokemon Buffet.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Bradleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603818695571463273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5967628747339461574.post-75838545264959011452014-09-26T18:04:00.000-07:002014-10-21T18:34:46.171-07:00Pain Will Make You Stronger<div style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 6px;"><span style="color: white;">Because no superhero movie is complete without SSApplicable advice, here is what Professor X says to his younger self (who is coming to terms with a painful experience) in the newest X-Men Movie:</span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;"><span style="color: white;">Professor X: "It's not their pain you're afraid of, it's yours, Charles. And as frightening as it may be...pain will make you stronger. If you allow yourself to feel it, embrace it, it will make you more powerful than you ever imagined. It's the greatest gift we have, to bear pain without breaking, and it's born from the most human power: Hope."</span></div><div style="display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-top: 6px;"><span style="color: white;">Parts of the journey can be painful and uncomfortable, but through Christ I know it will only make us stronger in the end.</span></div><div><div style="display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-top: 6px;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-top: 6px;"><img src="webkit-fake-url://2cdd9136-9ecb-4550-9300-b7acd6fe86be/imagejpeg" /></div></div>Bradleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603818695571463273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5967628747339461574.post-11596151316562436702014-09-26T13:53:00.002-07:002014-10-12T23:52:47.371-07:00Made to Thrive<br>While attending "Seven Essentials to Thriving in the Journey" at the North Star Conference, the song "Thrive" by Casting Crowns came to my mind multiple times and I have reflected on the lyrics quite a bit during this past week as I continue to process what I learned and how it can help me reconcile faith and feelings.<br><br><div></div>This piece of music expresses the attitude that I am learning and hoping to develop in regards to Same-Sex Attraction, with the help of family, friends, and most importantly the Lord.<br><div></div><br><div><br>I firmly believe that those of us who experience SSA were "made for so much more than ordinary life" and that we can find "joy unspeakable, faith unsinkable, [and] love unstoppable" as we do "more than just survive."<br><br>I know I still have a lot to learn about this journey and experience, and I look forward to gaining further insights, because I know that we were NOT made to suffer without hope or without peace.<br>"We were made to THRIVE"<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/qQ71RWJhS_M/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/qQ71RWJhS_M&amp;source=uds"><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/qQ71RWJhS_M&amp;source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></object></div><br></div>Bradleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603818695571463273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5967628747339461574.post-13887482489427187952014-05-17T20:02:00.000-07:002014-10-29T11:45:36.511-07:00Here For A Reason<span style="color: white;">One of my favorite passages from Man of Steel:</span><br /><div><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: white;">Jonathan Kent: And I don't blame you, son. It'd be a huge burden for anyone to bear; but you're not just anyone, Clark, and I have to believe that you were... that you were sent here for a reason. All these changes that you're going through, one day... one day you're gonna think of them as a blessing; and when that day comes, you're gonna have to make a choice... a choice of whether to stand proud in front of the human race or not.</span></div><div><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: white;">Clark Kent at 13: Can't I just keep pretending I'm your son?</span></div><div><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: white;">Jonathan Kent: You are my son;... but somewhere out there, you... you have another father too, who gave you another name, and he sent you here for a reason, Clark; and even if it takes you the rest of your life, you owe it to yourself to find out what that reason is.</span><br /><span style="color: white;"><br /></span><span style="color: white;">I'm grateful for the knowledge the Restored Gospel gives me that I have "another father" out there who loves me and has sent me here to this world for a reason. I may not understand all things right now, all the reasons I'm here, why I experience SSA, why I suffer from depression and anxiety, but what I do know is that God loves me forever, and that I am his son. As I seek to follow Him, he can show me the reason for all things, in His own time and in His own way.</span><br /><div class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><div style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ifVHmh3nXMs/U3gfbT8Z3DI/AAAAAAAAC90/rCwhllf-s_s/s1600/jonathan-kent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ifVHmh3nXMs/U3gfbT8Z3DI/AAAAAAAAC90/rCwhllf-s_s/s1600/jonathan-kent.jpg" height="160" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div></div></div>Bradleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603818695571463273noreply@blogger.com0